The Crownguard protects the Empire's person and the Empire's seat. Where the throne is, the Crownguard is around it; where the throne sits, the Crownguard holds the doors. It is a formation of the Cyrannus Army, answers through the Army's command for everything but the throne's safety, and for the throne's safety answers to the throne alone.

What the Crownguard does

1. 01Close protection.A detail around the throne, or around anyone the throne names, wherever they go in the game. The detail moves with its principal and puts itself between them and harm.
2. 02The seat.The doors, the halls and the ground of the Empire's seat: who comes in, who does not, and who is asked to leave.
3. 03Ceremony.The guard at a parade, a promotion or an audience. The Crownguard stands where everyone can see it, and stands well.
4. 04Escort.The Council in session, a visitor under the throne's protection, a prisoner of consequence: escorted by the Crownguard when the throne or the Army's command asks.

Whose orders

The throne, directly, on anything to do with its safety; the Crownguard's own command on everything else; the Army's command through the Crownguard's. An order from any other quarter that would take a guard off their post is refused, politely, and reported. No formation gives the Crownguard orders on the ground where the throne stands: there, the Crownguard gives them.

Guard appointments

The Crownguard's ranks are held as guard appointments rather than line commands: a Guard Captain commands the guard, not a company. A member of the Crownguard keeps their Army posting and their Army rank, and may be returned to the line by the Crownguard's command at any time, which is not a punishment. The Crownguard selects; it does not conscript.